Cardiff City have quashed speculation that the club could change its name to
Cardiff Dragons as part of further rebranding of the Welsh side if they win
promotion to the Premier League.

Their billionaire Malaysian owner Vincent Tan, who instigated the Championship leaders' controversial colour change from blue to red, had seemingly refused to rule out renaming the club Cardiff Dragons at the end of the season in an interview with BBC Sport.

However, the Cardiff owner has moved to assure supporters that the club will not be changing their name in a statement released on Thursday afternoon.

"I can assure all supporters that we will not be changing our name from Cardiff City Football Club, a club I am very proud to be a part of," it said.

"Our name is our identity and remains at our core. I would not want any of our supporters to be concerned that this change would be made, hoping that this personal commitment from myself removes any fears."

Tan, who insisted on ending more than a century of tradition last year when he bought the club and ordered they change their blue shirts to red, added: "I believe the colour change is positive and will bring good tidings to Cardiff City Football Club.

"At this point of time, no decision has been made to change the club crest for the next season."

His comments are seemingly at odds with an earlier interview he gave to BBC Wales.

"We will think about it when we know the final result of this season," he told the BBC about the name Cardiff Dragons. "Then we will think what's the best way to brand it."

Cardiff have not played in the top tier of English football since 1962, but they look poised for promotion this season. They lead the Championship by eight points from second placed Watford and third-placed Hull City with a game in hand and 13 matches remaining.

Tan changed the club's traditional bluebird emblem last year for that of a dragon and told BBC Wales he was prepared to make more changes although any name change would have to be approved by the Premier League.

"A few were upset (by the colour change) but like in any business if we get 80 per cent or 75 per cent of the customers happy, with 20-25 per cent not happy, that's fine," he said.

"If they don't want to come to support our business, that's fine. We need the majority.

"I believe the change is for the better. And if you put in a lot of money, surely you have the right to make a call on some things you believe will make it better.

"If you don't have a say, why the hell do you want to put in so much money?"

Cardiff have undergone a revival in recent seasons after years in the doldrums and were runners up in the FA Cup final in 2008 and the League Cup final last season.

Their arch-rivals Swansea City won promotion to the Premier League in 2011 and won the first major honour in their history when they lifted the League Cup final on Sunday.